“…let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”
(Hebrews 10:22 ESV)
A couple months ago, I wrote about “Getting Dirty”, so it’s only fitting that I follow up with an article about washing. After an early morning beach run recently, I was in the shower and suddenly just began to be thankful for clean, running, warm water, shampoo, soap, etc. Having spent some considerable amount of time on the mission field, you learn really fast to appreciate so much we take for granted. I’ve bathed in freezing rainwater collected in a cistern over hole in the ground that is also used for my daily restroom functions. Needless to say, clean may be the intended result of such a traumatic experience, but clean is only relative to the purity of the rainwater in the cistern. It’s best not to ask, look or be too concerned with the details when on mission.
This particular morning, I was not just reflecting on the bathing differences between here and an emerging 3rd world country, but on God’s goodness, mercy and cleansing grace. Like the water, shampoo and soap that was clearing away all the dirt, salt, sweat, dead skin, hair, and making all things fresh and clean, God’s Word cleanses our soul and spirit, making us whole and white as snow. Too often we view God as some big mean nanny type person scolding, scouring and scrubbing all the sin, evil and junk from our lives; drawing blood, ripping flesh and leaving us more hurt and wounded than if we had just stayed dirty in our sin.
Sadly, we Christians and the church have used God’s Word to be the judge, jury and executioner of mans soul, spirit and life. We have made it our duty to call into account the evils of our world, no matter the cost and regardless the damage to real people we leave in our wake. Don’t get me wrong; God’s Word will shine light on all things contrary to His love, grace and mercy. The Holy Spirit will bring to the forefront of our hearts, mind and will those things that grieve God. Unlike, what you have traditionally seen and heard from His people, He doesn’t inflict pain on us in order to redeem us.
Jesus; the Son of the God Most High; the Christ; the Savior, Redeemer and Restorer of our Souls to God; does not come to tear down, but to build up. He bore all that is evil in the world; all the sin in our lives; and carried the full wrath of God upon his body, soul and spirit to wipe away all that separates us from God. He took the scolding, beating, scouring, ridicule, shame, etc. reserved for us in our place. His washing is easy; His cleansing is light; His restoring is just like that morning shower. His grace is the spiritual water, shampoo and soap removing all that makes us unclean.
It is in this loving and cleansing grace we have the full confidence and assurance by faith that He has completed and satisfied all that is required so we may stand righteous, clean and reconciled before our Sovereign Creator and Father…GOD. So don’t allow the dirt, filth and evil of this world to cover you, separate you or condemn you. It’s time to wash “yo-self” in the cleansing blood, grace, mercy and forgiveness of our living Savior and Lord, Jesus.
James Miller Jr
“Missionary to a Generation”
*Published in the April 10, 2014 issue of the Port Aransas South Jetty newspaper. via Better Wash “Yo-Self”! – Grace Church of Port Aransas.
